Meiling stared around the room in shock. Light came in from all directions. There were privacy screens, but he wanted her to have as much open space and as much light as he could give her, as well as different views.
“It’s beautiful, Gedeon.”
Her reaction was everything he could have asked for. The shock on her face. The little hitch in her voice, as if she couldn’t believe he would go to all the trouble and expense for her. He wanted her to know he’d do anything for her.
Gedeon caught her hand again and guided her to the master bathroom. She might as well see that he’d incorporated changes there as well. The double sinks and the huge walk-in shower with the multitude of nozzles, choices of sprays and handheld devices along the racks were meant for two people. He wanted that clear. The side-by-side soaking tubs. The huge Jacuzzi meant for two. This was a masterpiece designed for them.
She turned her face up to his. “You want us to sleep down here together.”
“Part of the time.” He was honest. “The leopards can use the stairs going up the wall if need be, or they can escape out the window or off the patio into the swamp. It will be much more convenient from the suite upstairs by the time we finish renovating it.”
“You’re going to change my suite?”
He cupped the side of her face, his thumb brushing along her full bottom lip. “I’ve got the plans rolled up right there beside the fireplace.” He indicated the long tube resting against the stone fireplace.
Her eyes lit up. “I’d love to see the plans.”
“I have a few little rules for you to follow before we unroll the plans.”
Her eyebrow shot up. “Rules? You have rules?”
“I like to boss you around. That’s what you’re always saying. I’m bossy and arrogant. So, rules. You want to see the plans for the upstairs suite, you have to follow my rules.”
He came up behind her, crowding her body with his, sweeping her dark hair from her nape, pressing kisses along her neck and watching her shiver. Satisfaction shot through him. She couldn’t hide her reaction to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Do you want to see those plans?” He brushed her hair from the side of her neck and kissed the tender skin there, right over her pulse. Then scattered more kisses up to her ear, where he bit gently on her earlobe.
“Yes.” Her voice came out a whisper. “Tell me your rules, Leopard Boy.”
He laughed, just as she knew he would. He moved around her to face her. Meiling was very slight, but most of the time he didn’t notice unless they were working a case and her diminutive stature was to their advantage, or like now, when he towered over her. His shoulders were wide, and his body seemed to make two of hers. He looked straight into her dark eyes as his hands dropped to the little buttons on her very feminine blouse.
“I get the pleasure of removing your clothes first, before anything else.” Very slowly he slipped the first button from the loop, the pads of his fingers brushing bare skin.
She didn’t pull away. Her long lashes fluttered. She had those beautiful black sweeping lashes that were feminine beyond description and called attention to her dark, hypnotic eyes. He kept his fingers moving down that line of pretty little square buttons until her blouse was open, revealing her mint-green bra and the appealing bare strip of skin on her belly. Gedeon pushed the material from her shoulders and let it flutter to the floor. He paid no attention to her sudden shyness when he reached behind her, unhooked her bra with one hand and tossed that little scrap of lace aside as well.
He let his breath out. “You’re so damn beautiful, Meiling.” Catching her hips, he drew her closer to him and took her mouth. He’d resisted for what seemed an entire day. The moment his lips touched hers, she caught fire—or he did. They ignited. The chemistry between them was explosive. He wanted to give her tenderness. Leopards were hot as Hades when they came together. He wanted a slow burn for her, not this crazy wildfire that roared through his veins and poured steel into his cock.
“Lotus.” He breathed her name, trying to slow things down, pressing his forehead to hers. He could still feel her on his skin, in his mouth, down his throat. Most importantly, he could feel her moving in his soul.
“Without you, I’ve got nothing at all. You know that, don’t you?”
She gave a little shake of her head, her eyes alive with too much emotion, just as he knew his were. They both felt it. It was impossible not to be shaken when neither of them had been loved, Meiling even less than him. Now, knowing what they had together, Gedeon felt vulnerable, wide open. It didn’t matter. She was worth it. If he lost, he would always have had this time with her.